Retaining wall structure



June 7, 1966 G. R. MOORE 3,254,490

RETAINING WALL STRUCTURE Filed May 5, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I NVEN TOR.

6501965 B. Mao/e5 firmeA/Eys.

June 7, 1966 G. R. MOORE RETAINING WALL STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 5, 1962 INVENTOR. GEORGE E. M0035 fl'sm f 190%5 United States Patent O 3,254,490 RETAINING WALL STRUCTURE George R. Moore, 500 Winslow Ave, Long Beach, Caiif. Filed May 3, 1962, Ser. No. 193,069 2 Claims. (CI. 61-39) The present invention relates to a retaining-wall structure for supporting earth against transverse movement.

Earth cuts are frequently made to facilitate building on particular sites, and in many instances, it is either desirable or necessary to provide a retaining wall adjacent the cut to prevent earth from slipping on to the building site. A variety of retaining-wall structures have been previously proposed; however, in general, these structures have been exceedingly expensive to construct- One of the reasons for the high cost of prior retainingwall structures has been the necessity of moving a considerable amount of earth to enable placement of forms and supporting members, and to back-fill the retaining Wall. Furthermore, if the wall is cast in position, as of concrete, or formed of bricks or blocks, considerabic labor expense is required. In attempts to overcome high labor costs of prior walls, it has been proposed to preform components of retaining walls with high-production techniques so that a wall need onlyv be assembled at the building site. However, prior retaining walls of this type have normally been formed of heavy, rigid material as pre-stressed concrete; therefore, heavy equipment is custornarily required to assemble the wall. Furthermore, transportation and handling the wall components has been expensive and diiiicult. Therefore, a need exists for a retaining-wall structure which can be economically manufactured, and assembled in position, without excessive costs.

In the construction of retaining walls, it is sometimes desirable or necessary to conform to a corner in an earth cut or natural terrain. Prior retaining-wall structures, have required considerable additional expense to form such corners. Therefore, a need also exists for an economical retaining-wall structure which may be used to include corner configurations.

In general, the present invention comprises a retainingwall structure which may be economically and simply constructed. The structure comprises I-bearn upright posts which are interconnected by stretchers of hat-shape cross-section that extend into the I-beaim posts for support. The hat-shaped stretchers are formed to include a channel portion having flanges extending therefrom to provide a cross-section structure which is particularly well-suited for use in a retaining wall to hold earth against transverse movement. Furthermore, the structure of the present invention facilitates the use of both inside and outside corners in a retaining wall.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved retaining-wall structure.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a retaining-wall structure which may be economically manufactured and easily assembled.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a retaining-wall structure which facilitates the formation of inside and outside corners.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a retaining-wall structure which may be constructed with less movement of earth.

One further object of the present invention is to provide a retaining-wall structure which may be assembled by relatively unskilled persons without expensive heavy equipment and without substantial earth-moving expense.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of "ice the following taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective. view of one form of retaining wall constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the assembly of a portion of the structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a portion of the structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary front elevation view of one of the elements employed in the structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the element of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another form of retaining wall constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 99 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 10-46 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 1111 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 12 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 13 is a vertical sectional view showing an alternative form of the present invention.

A efcrring initially to FIG. 1, the illustrated form of the retaining-wall structure includes a plurality of upright posts It) including posts 10a, 10b, 10c and 13d. These posts may be variously placed in the earth to deviate at a slight angle from the vertical. 12 extend between each of the posts 10, passing through the center sections of the posts for support. The posts 10 and stretchers 12 may both be formed of galvanized steel or other rigid deformable material to provide an enduring and substantial wall.

The posts 10 comprise sections of I-beam stock, while the cross-section of the stretchers 12 is somewhat hatshaped. That is, the stretchers (FIG. 3) include a bottom 12a integrally formed with sides 12b which taper slightly outwardly from a position perpendicular to the bottom 12a. The sides 12b then terminate in flanges 12c which are substantially parallel to the bottom 12a, extending outwardly from the sides 12b.

The stretchers 12 pass through slots 14 (FIG. 3) in the central section 15 of the I-bearn posts 10 which slots coincide in shape with the cross-section of the stretchers 12. The slots 14 have a width substantially twice the thickness of the stretchers, so that two adjacent stretchers may be telescopically fitted into a slot 14. The stretchers are fixed in position within the slots by a crimp 16 (FIG. 4) and a turned section 13 being adjacent the section 15.

The upright posts 10 may the variously placed in the ground to support the stretchers 12. For example, the base of the post is held in a bore hole which is filled with concrete 20. In situations where the earth is difiicult to penetrate, a cantilevered support may be provided, as shown for the post 16:). Referring to FIG. 2, an enlarged view of the cantilever support is shown to include a block 22 of concrete in which the (base end of the post 1011 is embedded. A small length 24 of angle stock is also embedded in the block 22, mounted transverse to the post .10 and extending through a corner of the slot 14a. Another short length 26 of angle stock also extends through the slot 14a; however, it is located just below the top of the block 22. A prefabricated galvanized steel plate footing 28 with a rod 39 used for excessive loads can be substituted for concrete block 22.

A plurality of stretchers.

The rod 30 in FIG. 2 is affixed between the rear of the plate 28 and one of the upper stretchers 12, adjacent the post a, to reinforce the post. The rod has a curved section 31 embedded in the :block 22 and is bolted to the stretcher at a joint 33.

Of course, various other techniques may also be employed to fix the posts 10 in position spaced apart along the line of the wall. In this regard, some deviation is permissible in the spacing between the posts 10 because the stretchers are telescopically overlapped, and the extent of overlap is not critical. Also, the posts adjacent a corner in the wall are not evenly spaced. That is, the post Cltib for example, is adjacent the corner post 10a, and a reduced space is provided between these posts. The stretchers from the post 10a extend through the post llllb and into the joint post 100 Therefore, the post 10b acts as a cantilever support for the stretchers extending to the post Illa, which does not internally receive the stretchers. That is, the stretchers l2 simply abut against the central section of the corner post 10a, but do not extend into slots. To provide a close abutting relationship between the post 10a and the stretchers, the ends 32 (FIGS. 5 and 6) of the stretchers are cut at an angle in both planes. A similar arrangement is provided for inside lcorners, as at the post 100. ('FIG. 1);,however, the stretchers are then terminated in a differently-cut end 34 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

In walls of greater heights, e.g. eight feet and over in one embodiment, an intermediate post may lbe placed between the standard-spaced posts 10 to resist excessive earth forces at the base of the wall. Therefore, the standard-length stretchers 12 pass completely through the intermediate posts 35.to terminate adjacent a standard post 10. The intermediate posts, as post 35 are normally shorter in length than standard posts because the forces are greatest at the base of the wall.

In the construction of a retaining wall as shown in FIG. 1, the stretchers are first manufactured in substantiallyuniform lengths of galvanized steel, having the desired hat-shaped cross section. In general, the terminal ends of the stretchers 12 are cut perpendicular to their length; however, the ends of stretchers abutting inside and outside corners are formed at angles to the stretcher lengths, as described to facilitate the corners. The posts l0 are pierced by the slots 14 which may be punched, flame cut or otherwise formed.

It is noteworthy that in the storage and transportation of the stretchers 112, they may be telescopically stacked to occupy relatively little space, by the inside bottom 12a of one stretcher being contiguous to the outside bottom 12a of the adjacent stretcher.

At the building site, the posts 10 are seated in post holes, set in cantilever mountings or otherwise positioned in the earth adjacent the out. The stretchers 12 may be installed either before or after the posts are set in conctete. In general, it is somewhat more diflicult to pour the concrete with the stretchers installed; however, it is also difficult to alter the spacing between the posts after the concrete is set. Therefore, the course of proceeding depends upon the certainty with which the posts can be properly set. Normally lcare in setting the posts li) properly will permit the stretchers 1 2 to be installed afterward.

The stretchers 12 are placed so that the ends thereof pass through the slots 14 in the central sections 15 of the posts. As the sides 12b of the stretchers taper outwardly at a slight angle, the end of one stretcher may be easily fitted over the end of the adjacent stretcher so that both ends are telescopically positioned within the slot 14. Thereafter, a crimping tool may be employed to provide the crimp 16 (FIG. 4) in the overlapping stretchers and the end of the external stretcher may be turned to form the section 18 thereby locking the stretchers in the upright posts 10.

After the retaining-wall structure is assembled, the space t behind the wall is filled from the front of the wall. That is, the operation of back-filling the wall is considerably simplified because the openings between the stretchers 12 permit filling from the front.

The back-fill material should be placed behind the wall in layers which are soaked and tamped individually. After the wall is completely filled the spaces bet-ween the stretchers may be planted to retain the soil and provide a decorative effect. Thus a lasting, functional and decorative retaining wall is provided at considerable economy.

In some instances, it is desirable to provide a substantially-vertical wall. One form of such wall embodying the principles of the present invention is shown in FIG. 7. In the structure, elongate stretchers 38 are supported between upright posts 40 including corner posts 4th; and 4-90 and joint post 401). The stretchers 38 are similar to the stretchers 12 as previously described, while the posts til comprise a modified I-beam configuration which has parallel end sections 44 and 48 joined by a central section 56 with an added pair of transverse elongate flanges joined to the central section 50.

The flanges are aflixed to the post diflerently depending on the position of the post. Specifically, flanges 52 (FIG. 10) extend transversely from the center of the central section 5t parallel to the end sections 44. On the exterior corner post 40a, the flanges 54 (FIG. 11) extend outwardly at an angle from the junction between the end section 44 and the central section 50. The flanges 56 (FIG. 12) for an inside corner post extend out at an angle from the central section 50. The elongate flanges may be variously fixed to a conventional I-beam as by welding.

The flanges are pierced by triangular cut openings which receive turned corners 56 of the stretchers 38 and thus serve to hold the stretchers in position. More specifically, referring to FIG. 9, the flanges 52 have spaced apart triangular cuts 54 to receive corners 56 which are lapped about the flanges. Thus, the straight sections of the wall are supported to form a rigid and decorative structure.

The stretchers 38 are held in a somewhat similar manner at the corner posts by lapping about the flanges 54 and 56 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 wherein the corners 61 and 62 are turned through apertures in the flanges 54 and 56 respectively for support.

For vertical faced walls which are higher, e.g. six feet and over in one embodiment, intermediate posts as post 63 may be employed between the standard spaced posts 4-0. These intermediate posts will normally be shorter in length thus serving to provide support at the base of the wall where greatest earth forces are encountered.

In the use of retaining walls as shown and described herein, the hat-shaped stretchers function somewhat as a conventional I-beam in that the flanges 12c (FIG. 3) provide considerable strength against outward buckling of the stretchers. Furthermore, the channeled section formed by the bottom 12a and the sides 12b retains earth adjacent the stretchers against any movemerit and due to the cohesive tendency of the earth which tends to lock the earth against shifts relative to the retaining wall.

In addition to the use of symmetrical hat-shaped stretchers and mating slots, the present invention contemplates the use of unsymmetrical forms. For example, referring to FIG. 13, there is shown in vertical section a stretcher extending through a post 97. The cross section of the stretcher 95 includes a bottom 95a which turns into sides 95b and 50. the side 95b is considerably greater than the length of the side 95c, thus accounting for the unsymmetrical nature of the stretcher. The sides 95b and 95c terminate in similar flanges 95d. Of course, the slot in the post 97 conforms to the cross section of the stretcher.

The length of It may therefore be seen, that an important feature of the present invention resides in the form of the stretchers to provide a retaining wall that is effective and decorative.

Another important feature resides in the fact that no bolts, nuts or other fasteners are required to assemble the wall.

These and other important features of the present invention may be incorporated in various modifications of the described embodiments; however, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative and this invention is not to be limited to the details illustrated and described herein, except as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A retaining wall to hold earth against traverse movement, comprising:

a plurality of elongate horizontal metal stretchers each including a central elongate bottom section integral with two elongate side portions extending somewhat perpendicular to said bottom section and traversing the full length of said bottom section; and

a plurality of posts spaced apart along the length of said wall, said posts extending from below grade upward and toward the earth to be retained, said post-s including a substantially fiat section extending perpendicular to the length of said wall and each having plural slots therethrough to matingly receive plural pairs of oppositely extending stretchers, telescopically overlapped therein with the bottom sections thereof generally parallel the length of said wall, said posts supporting said stretchers to provide a horizontal and a vertical space displacement between one pair of stretchers and another pair of stretchers in said wall.

2. A retaining wall to movement, comprising:

a plurality of elongate horizontal galvanized steel stretchers each including a central elongate bottom 5 section; :two elongate side portions integral with said bottom section and extending generally perpendicular to said bottom section, and two flanges extending from said side portions substantially parallel to said bottom section; and

and another pair of stretchers in said wall.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Moore CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner.

JACOB SHAPIRG, EARL J. WITMER, Examiners.

hold earth against traverse Barnes 25672 Bonnafton 25672 Schutt 6147 Schenk 61-47 61--39 Cofield 25665 

1. A RETAINING WALL TO HOLD EARTH AGAINST TRAVERSE MOVEMENT, COMPRISING: A PLURALITY OF ELONGATE HORIZONTAL METAL STRECHERS EACH INCLUDING A CENTRAL ELONGATE BOTTOM SECTION INTEGRAL WITH TWO ELONGATE SIDE PORTIONS EXTENDING SOMEWHAT PERPENDICUALR TO SAID BOTTOM SECTION AND TRAVERSING THE FULL LENGTH OF SAID BOTTOM SECTION; AND A PLURALITY OF POSTS SPACED APART ALONG THE LENGTH OF SAID WALL, SAID POSTS EXTENDING FROM BELOW GRADE UPWARD AND TOWARD THE EARTH TO BE RETAINED, SAID POST INCLUDING A SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT SECTION EXTEND- 